Water control for flush tanks



Dec. 19, 1939. F. M. HEATH WATER CONTROL FOR FLUSH TANKS Filed Sept. 2,1939 4 Sheets-Sheet l IN VEN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Dec. 19, 1939. r F. M. HEATH Y 2,183,677

WATER CONTROL FOR FLUSH TANKS Filed Sept. 2, 1939 .4 Sheets-Sheet 2 K IZ c I 7 I HBI T1 4 Z Z 1N VEN TOR.

U 7 ATTORNEYS.

Dec. 19, 1939. F, M, E T 2,183,677

WATER CONTROL FOR FLUSH TANKS Filed Sept. 2, 1959 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 37Ffianlfij filieah 0 INVEN TOR.

ATTORNEYS. l

Dec. 19, 1939. F', M, HEATH 2,183,677

WATER CONTROL FOR FLUSH TANKS Filed Sept. 2, 1939 4 Sheets-Sheet 4INVENTOR.

\ I BY A TTORNEYS.

Patented Dec. 19, 1939 UNITED STATES.

PATENT OFFICE WATER CONTROL FOR FLUSH'TANKS Frank MpHeath, SilverSpring, Md.

Application September 2, 1939, Serial No. 293,291

10 Claims.

determined time, flow into the overflow pipe of v the flush tank, forsupplying only a suflicient quantity of water to the bowl used with theflush tank, to provide the usual water seal.

Another object of the invention is to provid a movable pipe section, andmeans controlled by the usual flush tank float, for actuating theflexible pipe section to control the distribution of the water passingthrough the'flexible pipe section, thereby insuring a positive andaccurate operation of the device at all times.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as thedescription proceeds, the invention resides in the combination andarrangement of parts and in the details of com struction hereinafterdescribed and claimed, it being understood that changes in the preciseem bodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within thescope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of theinvention.

Referring to the drawings: Figure 1 is a fragmental sectional Viewthrough a flush tank, illustrating a control device constructed inaccordance with the invention, .as

mounted therein.

Figure 2 is a plan View thereof. Figure 3 is an elevational view of thecontrol mechanism, illustrating the spoon-shaped deflector as moved to aposition to deflect the water into the flush tank.

Figure 4 is a fragmental detail view illustrating. the spoon-shapeddeflector as moved to a position to discharge the water directly intothe overflow pipe of the flush tank.

Figure 5 is a View illustrating the deflector as released from the latchmember associated therewith and which operates to hold the deflector ina position to direct the water into the overflow p1pe.

Figure 6 is a view illustrating the latch member in its active orholding position.

Figure 7 is a sectional view through a flush tank illustrating amodified form of the invention.

Figure 8 is a plan view thereof.

Figure 9 is a sectional view through a flush tank illustrating theflexible pipe section as moved to a position to direct the flow of'waterinto thetank. I

Figure 10 is a'section online Ill-40 of Figure 7.

Figureil is a perspective view of the actuating arm used in connectionwith the flexible pipe section.

Figure 12 is an end elevational view of the actuating arm.

Figure 13 is a sectional view taken through the flexible pipe section.

Figure '14 is anelevational view illustrating a modified form of theinvention.

. Figure 15 is a further modified form of the invention. I

Figure 16 is a still further modified form of the invention.

Figure 17 is an elevational View illustrating a still further modifiedform of the invention.

Figure 18 illustrates another modified form of the invention. 7

Figure 19 is a plan view illustrating the form of the invention as shownby Figures 17 and 18. Referring to the drawings in detail, in thepreferred form of the invention, the tank is indicated by the referencecharacter 5, the reference character 6, designating the usual overflowpipe of the flush tank.

The reference character designates the inlet pipe which is supplied withthe usual valve mechanism not shown, the valve being actuated by meansofthe levers 8 that in turn are controlled bythe action of the float rod8 moved upwardly tank, during the entire flushing operation, and

which results in an appreciable loss of water, due to the Water passingfrom the flush tank and bowlassociated therewith, during the time whenthe water is passing from the flush tank in the usual manner.

i In the present invention I have provided a flexible pipe section IIwhich is secured to the pipe ill in any suitable manner, the dischargeend "of the flexible pipe section being under normal conditions,directed downwardly to discharge Water directly into the upper end ofthe overflow pipe 6, as clearly shown by Figure 1 of the drawings. V

Pivotally mounted on the split band 52 which is mounted adjacent to theupper end of the overflow pipe 6, is an operating arm l3 that has itscurved end l4 connected with the flexible pipe section Ii, at 15. Aspring indicated at it has connection'with the flexible pipe section Hand gers being curved laterally so that they will be guided over thefloat rod 9, insuring the true operation of the operating lever at alltimes.

Pivotally mounted on the split band I2 is a spoon-shaped deflector platel9, the pivotal connection between the deflector plate [9 and split bandI 2, being near one end of the deflector plate, to cause the deflectorplate to normally swing to a position as shown in full lines in Figure 4of the drawings, but permit the deflector plate to swing upwardly to aposition as shown in dotted lines in Figure 4 of the drawings, todeflect the water into the flush tank proper.

Theusual trip arm 23 of a flush tank valve operating mechanism isindicated at 23, and has connection with the valve rod 2|. Connectedwith the trip arm 20 is a rod 22 that extends through an opening formedadjacent to one end of the deflector plate 19, the rod 22 being formedwith a head 23 at the free end thereof, to engage the outer surface ofthe deflector plate to move the deflector plate from the position asshown in full lines in Figure 4 of the drawings, to the position shownin dotted lines.

Associated with the deflector plate is a latch member indicated at 24,the latch member being pivotally connected to the laterally extended lug25, by means of the pin 23 which is shown as extended through anelongated opening formed in the latch member, the elongated openingbeing disposed at an oblique angle with respect to the edges of thelatch member.

Due to the mounting of the latch member, it will be seen that when thedeflector plate has been moved to its dotted line position, the latchmember will hook over the flange 21 formed on the deflector plate l9,and hold the deflector plate in its dotted line position. It followsthat as the operating arm l3 moves upwardly, the operating arm will movethe latch member causing the latch member to disengage the flange 21,releasing the deflector plate allowing the deflector plate to swing tothe position shown in full lines in Figure 4 of the drawings. Thismovement of the deflector plate occurs when the tank is substantiallyfull, with the result that the water passing through the pipe l0 will bedirected against the deflector plate which in turn directs the waterthrough the overflow pipe and into the bowl used with the flush tank,providing a liquid seal. In the modified form of the invention shown byFigure '7 of the drawings, the float rod is indicated by the referencecharacter 28, and operates adjacent to the overflow pipe 29.

The operating arm indicated at 30 is pivotally connected to the splitband 3| which is clamped around the overflow pipe 29. One end of theoperating arm 30 is formed with an opening through which one end of therod 32 extends, the opposite end of the rod 32 being connected to thesplit band 33 which is positioned on the flexible pipe section 34.Extending into the flexible pipe section 34 is a member 35 which issubstantially trough-shaped, as clearly shown by Figure 13 of thedrawings, there being provided a rigid extension 36 extending from themember 35, to direct water passing through the member 35, to theoverflow pipe 29.

Spaced fingers 31' are formed on one end of the operating arm 30, andstraddle the float rod 28, so that as the float rod moves vertically, arelative movement of the flexible pipe section 34 will be insured. Dueto this con- 2,1ss,e77 I struction, it will be seen that when the floatcarried at the free end of the rod 28, has moved to the limit of itsupward movement, the flexible pipe section 34 will be moved to aposition as shown by Figure 7 of the drawings, directly over the upperend of the overflow pipe 29. As the float moves downwardly following thelevel of the water as it is discharging from the tank, it will be seenthat the flexible pipe section 34 will move upwardly to cause the waterdischarging from the end thereof, to be directed past the open end ofthe overflow pipe 29, and directly into the flush tank.

As the water level rises, the flexible pipe member will gradually moveto a position directly over the overflow pipe. It will of course beunderstood that the latter movement of the flexible pipe section is sotimed that water will be discharged into the overflow pipe, only at atime when the tank has been practically fllled. This of course willsupply the necessary quantity of water to insure a water seal within thebowl used in conjunction with the flush tank. In this form of theinvention a weight indicated by the reference character 38 is secured tothe operating arm 33 near the outer end thereof, to urge the arm 30 toits normal or horizontal position.

As shown by Sheet 4 of the drawings, I have provided movable pipesections as connected with the pipe of a flush tank used for directing aquantity of water to the overflow pipe thereof, and in the forms of theinvention shown by Sheet 4 of the drawings, I provide a weight 39 asconnected with the flexible pipe section 40, the weight acting tonormally hold the pipe section 40 in such a way that the waterdischarging therefrom will be directed into the overflow pipe, to supplythe necessary water for a water seal in the bowl used with the flushtank. The weight in this form of the invention is of a predeterminedcharacter, and is sumciently heavy to cause the pipe 40 to bend as shownby Figure 14. When the water is directed to the pipe, the pressure issuch as to cause the pipe section 40 to straighten as shown in dottedline in Figure 14, to the end that the water discharging through thepipe section 40 will be directed past the upper or open end of theoverflow pipe, which in the present showing is indicated by thereference character 4|. It is obvious that as the water pressure isreduced, due to the flush tank becoming filled, the weight 39 willovercome the water pressure, allowing the pipe section 40 to bend to aposition as shown in full lines in Figure 14.

In Figure 15 of the drawings, I have employed a flexible pipe section 42secured to the end of the pipe supplying water to the overflow pipe of aflush tank, the end of the pipe section 42 being reduced as at 43 tocause the water passing through the pipe section 42 to be formed into asubstantially small stream.

In Figure 16 of the drawings, I have illustrated rigid pipe sections 44and 45 which are connected by a flexible tubing 46 so that the pipesection 45 will move under the action of the weight 41, to cause thewater flowing therethrough, to be directed into the upper end of theoverflow pipe 48. When the water pressure passing through the pipe 44 isat its height, as at the time when the tank is beginning to fill, thewater pressure will cause the pipe section 45 to straighten to a degree,to cause the water passing therefrom to be directed into the flush tank,beyond the upper end of the overflow pipe 48.

In Figure 17, I have illustrated a movable pipe section 49 which directswater into the tray 50 which is secured to the upper end of the overflowpipe by means of the splitband 52, which is shown as clamping the flange53 of the tray 50.

As shown by Figure 18, the tray which is indicated at 54 is providedwith spaced flanges 55 which permit the tray to be readily positionedover the upper edge of the overflow pipe with which it is used.

From the foregoing it will be seen that due to the construction shownand described, the water which ordinarily is wasted through the overflowpipe during the emptying of the flush tank, is directed to the tankproper, and that.

when the tank is practically filled, the reduced pressure of the Waterpassing through the pipe which feeds the overflow pipe, will allow themovable pipe section to swing downwardly, directing a volume of water tothe overflow, to supply the necessary water to provide a water seal inthe bowl used with the flush tank.

' What is claimed is:

1. The combination with a flush tank overflow pipe and water feed pipefor directing water to the overflow pipe, of a flexible pipe sectionconnected to the free end of said water feed pipe and adapted to directWater to said'overflow pipe,

' and means controlled by the action of the water passing into the flushtank for moving said flexible pipe section to discharge water eitherinto said overflow pipe or directly into said tank at predeterminedintervals.

2. The combination with a flush tank overflow pipe and water feed pipefor directing water to the overflow pipe, of a movable pipe sectionsecured to the free end of said pipe, the discharge end of said pipenormally overlying the open end.

of the overflow pipe, and means controlled by the action of the waterpassing into the flush tank for moving said movable pipe section todischarge water either into said overflow pipe or directly into saidtank at predetermined intervals.

3. The combination with a flush tank overflow pipe and water feed pipefor directingwater to the overflow pipe, of a movable pipe sectionsecured to the free end of said water feed pipe, means for moving-themovable pipe section to discharge water at intervals either 'intotheflush tank or into the overflow pipe, and said means embodying afloat-controlled lever movable with the rise and fall of thewater insaid flush tank.

4. The combination with a flush tank overflow pipe and water feed pipefor directing water to the overflow pipe, of a movable pipe sectionsecured to the free end of said water feed pipe and forming. acontinuation of said water feed pipe, a lever pivotally mounted on saidoverflow pipe and connected with the movable pipe section, whereby themovable pipe section is moved to direct water either into the overflowpipe or directly into the flush tank, and floatcontrolled means in theflush tank for moving said lever to operate said movable pipe section.

5. The combination with a flush tank overflow pipe and water feed pipefor directing waforming a continuation of said water feed pipe,

whereby water may be directed into the overflow pipe or into the flushtank, means for moving the movable pipe section, said means embodyinglevers controlled by the action of a float operating in the flush tank.

The combination with a flush tank overflow pipe and water feed pipe fordirecting water to the overflow pipe, of a movable pipe section securedto the free end of said Water feed pipe and forming a continuation ofsaid Water feed pipe, 2. pivoted deflector plate mounted at the upperend of the overflow pipe and adapted to direct water passing from thewater feed pipe either into the overflow pipe, or directly intothe flushtank, and means for operating said deflector plate, said means embodyinga floatcontrolled lever operated by the rise and fall oi the water-level within the flush tank.

of the water passing into the flush tank, for

moving the movable pipe section to a position directly over the overflowpipe, or to a position to discharge water beyond the side of theoverflow pipe.

8. The combination with a flush tank overflow pipe and water feed pipefor directing water to the-overflow pipe, of a movable pipe sectionsecured to the free end of saidwater feed pipe" and forming acontinuation of said water feed pipe, a pivoted deflector plate mountedat the upper end of the overflow pipe, said movable pipe section adaptedto discharge water onto the deflector plate to direct'water either intothe overflow pipe or directly into the flush tank, and float-controlledmeans for swinging the deflector plate to various positions ofadjustment.

9. The combination with a flush tank overflow pipe and water feed pipefor directing water to the overflow pipe, of a movable pipe sectionsecured to the free end of said water feed pipe and forming acontinuation of said water feed pipe, a spoon-shaped deflector platepivotally mounted at the upper end of said overflow pipe directly underthe discharge end of the charge water directly into the flush tank, for

a predetermined period of time.

10. The combination with a flush tank overflow pipe and Water feed pipefor directing Water to the overflow pipe, of a movable pipe sec- .tionsecured to the free end of said water feed pipe and forming acontinuation of said water feed pipe; a deflector plate mounted at theupper end of the overflow pipe, said movable pipe section adapted todischarge water onto the deflector plate to direct water either into theoverflow pipe or directly into the flush tank.

. FRANK M. HEATH.

